[update]
First off, some apologies are in place here. I deeply apologize for the fact that this post has been delayed for like 3 weeks.
And now! The good stuff.
Okay, let's start with my home situation first.
I've got 2 workstations. One ASUS laptop, running
WinXP Home, and one big pc (home built) running
WinXP Pro 64bit edition.
So before I actally bought the Zune, I wanted to see if the software worked AT ALL on any European system, so I downloaded the Zune.exe file from the Zune.net website.
On my computer it instantly gave me an error. Damnit, but that's what was to be exptected; hardly any software works instantly on that OS.
So on to the laptop. There it worked! But, consistant as I am, I got it to work on the 64bit OS too! Here's how.
Windows XP Home
Let's begin by starting the Zune.exe file. Almost immediately I got an error, stating that I have to update my OS first if I were to continue. (you can't continue if you don't)
Allright, let's do that, it has been a while. Ran windows update, and started the Zune file again.
Now, because I am on a non-US version of Windows, I had to make a little work-around to get the file to work properly. If you don't do this, youre gonna be stuck at the installation at 95%. That sucks ofcourse, so here's what you have to do to avoid that: (from the microsoft website)
1- Click on START , RUN and type cmd click on OK.
2- One new windows will open with : ( C:\Documents and Settings\<user-name>)
3- Type : net localgroup USERS /add <ENTER>
4- Type : net localgroup INTERACTIVE /add <ENTER>
5- Type : net localgroup USERS <user-name> /add <ENTER> (Username found in step 2)
6- Type: net localgroup INTERACTIVE <user-name> /add <ENTER> (Username found in step 2)
and replace <user-name> with your OS's user name.
Now, the installation went perfectly! I couldn't name my Zune (cause I didn't have one yet) or anything, so it was straight to the UI for me.
First impression: Looks a lot like WM11 but with another skin, and way cooler
I really love how the edges of the program are blueisch, like the black Zune. Very cool.
So I got the Zune, connected it, setting it up was very easy, transferring music and videos went EXTREMELY FAST! But maybe that's just me, I was used to the Sony Connect software. (google it for a good laugh)
But then. My girlfriend wanted a Zune too (ofcourse), so I got here a black one. I tried to hook it up to my laptop as well, but that gave me lots of weird sync-errors. Makes sense of course; it's a totally different Zune.
Only solution I had? Install the Zune software on my pc.
Windows XP Pro 64bit edition
Now this was a whole other deal. I coulnd't even start the Zune.exe file, so what to do?
The guys over at Zune-online.com have made a very easy to use workaround for this problem.
Only one requirement; you need a working version of the software on another OS (you need some files).
Step 1: downloading WM11. Like I said before, the interface looks a lot like that from WM11, so I guess it's only logical that you need it.
Step 2: go to the c:\Program Files\Zune folder on the other OS, and get the Zune.inf file. Copy it to e.g. your desktop
Step 3: open it and make these changes to it:
Replace:
[Manufacturer]
%MfgName%=Microsoft,NTx86
[Microsoft.NTx86]
%Zune.DeviceDesc%=ZuneMTP, USB\MS_COMP_MTPZ
With this:
[Manufacturer]
%MfgName%=Microsoft,NTAMD64
[Microsoft.NTAMD64]
%Zune.DeviceDesc%=ZuneMTP, USB\MS_COMP_MTPZ
Step 4: Plug in your Zune. The OS won't recognize it, so you have to point the install wizard to the .inf file we just created. It will bitch about not being signed and all, but just click OK and go ahead.
Step 5: Copy the c:\Program Files\Zune directory from your other OS to the c:\Program files (x86)\Zune dir on your 64 bit OS.
Step 6: Now, you have to register all the 'foreign' .dll files in that folder. To do that, press WIN + R, type CMD and enter this:
cd "\Program Files (x86)\Zune" [press enter]
for %f in (*.dll) do regsvr32 %f [press enter]
A lot of pop-ups will come up. Click OK on all of them. Some are error-messages, but that's fine. Click em away.
Step 7: Copy the Zune.exe from the c:\Program Files (x86)\Zune directory to your desktop and run it.
That's it! The first time you will get some weird errors (pop-ups without any text on them, gave me a good laugh) but hey, if that's what it takes
Syncing music and videos should be no problem now. The only difference I noticed was the software didn't recognize the Zune-type my girlfriend has. Like e.g. on my laptop when I connect my Zune, I see a little Brownie-icon when I sync. On my pc, I only see a generic Zune-icon (white borders shaped like a Zune).
But what the hey, it works!!!
Stay Zuned for the rest of the updates. The next one, part III - hands-on zexperiences will be very interesting, since I can now test the wireless sharing! I love my gf for getting a Zune too